The Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) celebrates Black History Month (BHM) 2023. BHM is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their role in U.S. History This month of celebration has been recognized by US Presidents since 1976. Find more about the history of BHM here. Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, creates a theme for Black History Month. This year’s Black History Month theme is Black Resistance. Find more about this year’s theme here: https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
CCRD’s work is a direct result of African American history: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Civil Rights of 1964, 100 years after the end of the Civil War, sought the right for equality for all races and creeds in America. The act created the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) to ensure discrimination based on race, gender, religion, national origin, etc did not occur in places of employment and labor unions. In addition the act banned discrimination in public places such as, parks, restaurants, shopping stores,etc. Later in 1968, the Fair Housing Act passed, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of property.
The CCRD celebrates the achievements of African Americans and commemorates their role in U.S. History. CCRD recognizes the many accomplishments of prominent leaders in the African American community, such as Martin Luther King Jr, Medgar Evers, Daisy Bates, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Audre Lorde, bell hooks, John Lewis and many more who helped shape equal employment, fair housing and fair access laws. The CCRD plays a vital role in upholding those rights and enforcing the Colorado Anti- Discrimination Act (CADA), through investigation and mediation.
To find more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act and Colorado African American history, visit the resources below:
Civil Rights In American: Racial Discrimination in Housing
History of the Fair Housing Act
8 steps that Paved the Way to the Civil Rights Act of 1964
History Colorado: Colorado's Most Influential African Americans